2021, DIY, farm, for less, pets, project planning, projects, repurpose, Woodwork

Scrap wood Challenge: a plan-less chicken coop or rabbit hutch

by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments on Scrap wood Challenge: a plan-less chicken coop or rabbit hutch

I never like to build anything without a plan- it’s so difficult and something always turns out wrong. BUT- is it really a scrap wood challenge if you use a plan? It’s still challenging, but building on the fly is a whole ‘nother level of challenging. It’s aggravating.

I knew from looking at a neighbor’s chicken coop about what design I wanted. So I started by creating the bottom with four four by fours cut at 30 inches long. I cut my 1x4s to 24 inches and built a frame. I then used two 1×12 shelf boards to build the nesting box. I cut the sides and the divider to 12 inches and cut one to 30 inches to form the back of the nesting box. I also added a 1×4 board frame to the bottom of the legs for stability and to add the wire later on.

I then added plywood to the bottom, top, and added a floor to the inside of the nesting box. I also created a small door for the coop.

Then, I added a 1×4 frame “chicken run” to the outside of the coop. I also added a plywood roof to the top.

And my youngest daughter decided she should try out the chicken run. 🙂 We started adding wire to the outside until we completely covered the open areas with wire.

And then we added hardware to the doors and egg hatch.

Three coats of paint and several shingles later, we ended up with the final product…which I will show you next week 🙂

Have a wonderful week!! We will see you Wednesday for school lunch ideas and on Friday for Farmhouse Friday.

2021, Blogging, children, family, life as a lumber, Personal, Sunday Musings

Sunday Musings: Life as a Lumber

by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments on Sunday Musings: Life as a Lumber

I hope everyone had a blessed week- we had spring break, so I chose to take a week off from blogging to focus on my family and getting a few things done around the house. It was a much needed break and I feel so much better.

I’m happy to be back at it again, from work to blogging. I’d like to share what we’ve been doing with you.

1. We went to church

We have been listening online to a local church for more than a year, and on Easter Sunday, we visited in person for the first time. We had a wonderful experience there and will attend again. It was wonderful to be back in God’s house again amongst other believers.

2. Our greenhouse is thriving

I’ll be the first to admit- I often just DO things without researching or reading the directions. Sometimes it works out well and sometimes it doesn’t. This greenhouse is only slightly different: I researched a bit, but I am mostly learning by doing. So far, it’s working well. We will plant our garden at the end of the month.

3. We plowed a bigger garden

Last year, the garden we grew was a little two small in square footage. Our veggies grew too close together, which often meant that we missed ripened veggies since we couldn’t see them. This year, we tilled a much larger area than we actually need so we can spread things out. We use a Wizard chain-driven tiller I inherited from my grandpa. It is older than I am but it works great. It’s a workout for sure, but I know he’d be happy to know we are using it. Plus, he has a hand in my garden, even though he isn’t here physically.

We will plow the garden one more time before planting.

4. Back to school!

Miss E went back to school this week- as in back in the building to school. In class. In person. She resisted a bit at first, but I think she is happy to be back. I’m also getting ready to get most of my students back four days a week.

5. The chickens went outside!!

Our chicken littles are no longer living in a wash tub in our bathroom- they have transitioned to our coop! I think they are much happier living outside. I’m much happier not finding chickens flying around my bathroom.

Have a wonderful week, everyone! Join us for the following articles this week:

1. Scrap wood challenge: chicken coop/rabbit hutch part one

2. Healthy school lunch ideas

3. Farmhouse Friday: spring decor roundup

Have a wonderful week!

2021, cleaning, cleaning tips, coronavirus, house management, parenting, self care, spring, spring cleaning

Clean routines and parenting: keeping a weekly cleaning schedule

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Clean routines and parenting: keeping a weekly cleaning schedule

Trying to keep a tidy house is hard when you have small children. It’s even harder when you’re at home all the time with those small children, due to the coronavirus pandemic. We have always had a weekly cleaning schedule that worked pretty well for us, but now I’m making it a point to incorporate a little extra deep cleaning, in honor of the current pandemic.

Our weekly cleaning schedule is laminated, framed, and hanging in our laundry room.

This definitely doesn’t mean that we are perfect. Not even close. Even though this schedule is hanging on our wall in a frame, there are days when our stuff doesn’t get done and when we let messes linger for too long. And while the Friday chores are typically deep cleaning tasks, I’d gotten a little creative in how we deep clean these days.

Typically we spend two weekends a month deep cleaning. While we are at home self quarantining, we are choosing to vigilantly follow a deep cleaning schedule. We are following our daily task schedule, but we are mopping and cleaning bathrooms twice a week. We are also making it a point to remove shoes at the door and do a deep cleaning task every weekend instead of every other weekend. The kids and I are trying to work together to make the chore of the day happen.

We are also currently homeschooling and I’m teaching from home too. We are struggling to find the balance but we are OK. We are getting there and we are making it work.

And while we are on the subject of house cleaning to combat the germs, have you considered incorporating a little self care into your day? Staying home is not easy for some of us, and as a result, your mental state can suffer. Remember to do something that lifts you up each day- it could be something as simple as taking a walk or Facetime calling people you miss, to gardening, to reading a book, or taking a hot bath. Either way- don’t neglect YOU!

We will see you soon with our spring home tour! Until then, stay safe and stay healthy. Thanks for reading!

2021, family, kids, life as a lumber, parenting, Personal, what's new

Lumber in my Minivan: What we’ve been up to!

by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments on Lumber in my Minivan: What we’ve been up to!

We meant to post some really neat things this week- we really did. But life has been crazy lately with work, school and dance, and we also were hit with a stomach virus.

Everything seems to be back to normal and we have some really neat things to share with you this week. Just as things are starting to return to normal in our house, we have decided to update you on some recent happenings in our humble abode.

We are in the midst of competition season and the girls are on their way to their first dance competition of the year!
We recently bought four little bantam chicks and the girls are enjoying raising them.

Our littlest lumber is headed to kindergarten this fall! She recently went to her kindergarten registration and her screening.

So many plants are currently coming up in our greenhouse and we are so excited!

Join us later this week for some chicken projects and some garden goodness! Have a wonderful week!

2021, Free stuff, printables, seasonal, Seasonal art, seasonal decor, spring, spring crafts, spring decor

Free printable coloring pages

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Free printable coloring pages

Does anyone else really like to color when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed? I don’t often find myself with time to color or draw, but when I have extra time, I find it peaceful and relaxing.

Instead of my usual once a month printable, I decided to do something different this time: offer three botanical prints that you can color, paint, or simply print, frame and hang up. They’re simply designed and I think they’re adorable. Remember, for best results, do not print larger than 8.5X11. To download, simply right-click and save them to your machine. Please do not use these for commercial use; they are to be used for free and personal use only. And, as always, if you should use these in a blog post, please tag me and give me credit. Thanks!